Democrats Divided After Schumer Backed GOP Funding Bill

The minority leader’s decision to reverse course prompted some Democrats to reconsider their position and drew criticism from those who refused to compromise.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks alongside Democratic senators to press in the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 6, 2025. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

WASHINGTON—Democrats are divided over Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) decision to support advancing a Republican government funding package.

On March 13, Schumer announced on the Senate floor that he would reluctantly support advancing the stopgap bill, saying that the alternative—a shutdown beginning at 12:01 a.m. (EST)—would be worse than passing the bill.